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Anshun, China Travel Guide: Huangguoshu Waterfall and Hidden Gems You Didn’t Expect
- Esther Mehesz
- 7 days ago
- 4 min read
I Thought I Was Going for Huangguoshu Waterfall — and Ended Up Discovering More
I came to Huangguoshu Waterfall Scenic Area expecting a quick stop - but quickly realized this was one of the most underrated travel experiences in China. Once again, China surprised me.
When most people plan a trip to Guizhou Province, they tend to focus on the well-known destinations or simply pass through on a high-speed train from a capital city like Chongqing or Guiyang. However, tucked away in Anshun City, there is a quieter, often overlooked destination that offers a unique combination of raw nature, cultural depth, and unexpected experiences.
And while it is home to one of the most famous natural attractions in China, it is everything surrounding it that makes the destination truly memorable. Yes, it may sound cliché, but this is one of those places where the surroundings end up being just as memorable as the main event.
Why Anshun, China, Is More Than Just the Huangguoshu Waterfall Stop
Let’s be clear.
Huangguoshu Waterfall is the primary reason most visitors come here. It is widely known as the largest waterfall in Asia.
When I heard "the largest waterfall in Asia", you can imagine I had some high expectations of this place. I've been to the Niagara Falls several times, and I've seen Victoria Falls in Zambia, so I had a reference point. I wanted to see what "the largest waterfall in Asia" actually meant in comparison.
And while the waterfall itself is undeniably impressive, what stood out to me most wasn’t just the scale—it was everything surrounding it.
This is where Anshun feels different.
The waterfall is not a standalone attraction. It is part of a much larger system of interconnected scenic areas, each adding another layer to the experience. The region is filled with diverse natural sceneries, caves, and lesser-known locations that extend far beyond the main viewpoint.
At the same time, it remains less developed than many other tourist areas, which gives it a more authentic and unfiltered feel.
What I initially expected to be a quick stop—something along the lines of “we’ll go, see it, and move on in an hour or two”—turned out to be completely different.
The reality?
This is not a place you rush through.
If anything, it’s the kind of destination where you realize, halfway through, that you should have planned more time—not just for the waterfall itself, but for everything around it.
Getting to Anshun Is Easier Than Expected
One of the most common misconceptions is that Anshun is difficult to access.
In reality, it is straightforward:
Take a high-speed train from Guiyang
Arrive at one of the nearby railway stations (Anshun or Anshun West)
Continue with a short bus ride or taxi (or use the DiDi app to get a driver like Uber) to the main scenic spots
This accessibility makes Anshun one of the best ways to experience a more local side of China without complex travel logistics.
Huangguoshu Waterfall — The Main Attraction
The Huangguoshu Waterfall is not just a viewpoint; it is an immersive experience.
What makes it unique:
Multiple platforms provide different angles of the falls
It connects to additional scenic areas near Tianxing Bridge
The experience varies significantly depending on the season. During the rainy season, the volume and force of the water transform the entire landscape.
Practical Tips:
Visit early morning to avoid peak crowds (or visit right at the end of the day before closing, but that's hard to calculate, and you may feel rushed)
Use internal transport within the park—it is larger than it appears (trust me on this! and I am that person who always says everything is walkable)
Expect mist and water spray—this is part of the experience
Practical Tips for Visiting
For a smoother experience, keep the following in mind:
Wear comfortable walking shoes
Bring a light jacket, especially during the rainy season
Check the entrance fee for each area (they are typically separate, and to get to the waterfall, you'll need a different ticket to take the escalator down to it. For the main entrance, as a foreigner, you will need your passport! That will be your entrance ticket in addition to doing a face scan to get from one area to the other).
Expect walking combined with internal transport between scenic spots
Be patient when taking photos, especially in popular tourist areas
Final Thoughts: Why Huangguoshu Waterfall and Anshun Stay With You
Although I only talked about one particular destination in Anshun, the entire park that the waterfall is in is made up of many scenic areas. It's unique because there's so much nature, over 40,000+ acres of land, all within one city. And this is why China is big, and everything in China is big. Although Anshun does not position itself as a major global destination, it's still big and has a lot to offer. It is not overly developed, and it does not feel curated for mass tourism. But that is precisely what makes it stand out.
It offers:
Authentic natural sceneries
Less crowded, more immersive environments
Experiences that feel unplanned and genuine
You may come for the Huangguoshu Waterfall, but it is everything around it that leaves a lasting impression.
A Note on a Unique Experience Nearby
While this post focuses on the main highlights of Anshun- the Huangguoshu Waterfall and the scenic area, there are also smaller, more unexpected experiences in the surrounding area, such as a unique café set beside a waterfall. Another post on that because it was too much of a "wow" moment to not talk about it.
If you’re planning your route through Guizhou Province, consider staying longer than just a few hours.
Anshun is not just a stop—it’s a destination worth experiencing more fully!
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